Young Franco

(This article’s English version was produced with AI-assisted translation)

In recent years, Australia has become a vibrant music laboratory. From Priori's ambient-techno meditation to Carla Dal Forno's ethereal minimal-wave, increasingly fascinating realities are emerging, especially in the electronic realms. Far from this introspective trend, Young Franco, born in Brisbane in 1994, claims to have grown up with the Backstreet Boys and A Tribe Called Quest; these influences are reflected in his debut album, It's Franky Baby!, a collection of lively electro-dance excursions that explore the most vibrant summer atmospheres, without the pretension of taking itself too seriously.

The DJ-producer gives little space to the futuristic introspection of UK club music, preferring to celebrate life-filled parties, flowing with alcohol and smiles, dancing carelessly without a worry for tomorrow. The tracks, all short (two or three minutes), highlight a more pop than club-oriented inclination: no problem, because in a short time, they manage to spark enthusiasm and unleash a groove that owes just as much to drum machines as it does to the omnipresent vocals, which are the true core of the project.

Whether it's the seductive melody of "Sing It Back" or the hip-house vibe of "Stunt Like This", the voice remains the pivot of a project that thrives on collaborations and seems tailor-made for the flow of a friend with whom Young Franco enjoys tinkering with synthesizers. An example of this is "Daydreaming", with its passionate yet whimsical funk heritage, perhaps the most captivating of the lot.

It’s not excluded that a bit more depth might have been beneficial. The impression is that of an album that’s somewhat pop, perhaps house, with disco and hip-hop touches, crafted for the radio but with a beat construction that, in its synth-funk reminiscences, gives the best of itself. An album that may not leave indelible marks, but is undeniably captivating.

04/03/2025